Trump: Ex-lawyer Cohen ‘making up stories to get a deal’

Trump: Ex-lawyer Cohen ‘making up stories to get a deal’

The president’s former ‘fixer’ pleaded guilty to a number of election campaign finance charges.

Donald Trump in Virginia (AP)

US president Donald Trump has accused his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, of making up “stories in order to get a ‘deal’”.

Mr Trump’s tweet came after Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges in a case that poses a direct threat to the president.

On Twitter, Mr Trump said he feels “very badly” for former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted over separate financial crimes.

The president said in Manafort’s case, “justice” took a 12-year-old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” – or make up stories in order to get a “deal”.

Mr Trump said of Manafort, he has “Such respect for a brave man!”

I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” – make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!

The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday said they want Cohen to appear again before their panel. They cited press reports that assert Cohen knew in advance about a meeting with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. The senators said Cohen indicated otherwise during his testimony.

Davis says Cohen testified truthfully and was unable to correct the press reports due to the ongoing criminal investigation.

Cohen pleaded guilty Tuesday to campaign-finance violations and other charges.